AAP accuses Delhi government of manipulating air quality data on Diwali
Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bhardwaj alleged that AQI readings exceeded 3,000 in several parts of the capital on Sunday night.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bhardwaj has accused the BJP-led Delhi government of manipulating air quality index (AQI) data, claiming levels crossed 3,000 in several parts of the national capital on Diwali night. According to reports from India Today and The Times of India, Bhardwaj alleged that the government is using fraudulent methods to mislead residents about actual pollution levels.
Bhardwaj told news agency ANI that monitoring stations were being shut down and 20 new AQI stations had been installed in remote, green areas of Delhi to lower readings. He further alleged that water was being sprinkled on existing monitoring stations in polluted locations to manipulate the data. He stated that people have lost faith in the official figures.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that Delhi's average AQI on Diwali, November 8, was 376, placing the city in the 'very poor' category. On Monday morning, several areas reached the 'severe' category, with the air quality station at ITO recording an AQI of 406 at 4:20 am. Other high readings included Burari Crossing at 441 and Vivek Vihar at 437.
Bhardwaj warned that presenting misleading figures puts vulnerable citizens, including children and the elderly, at risk of health issues such as respiratory failure. He demanded that the government take responsibility for the impact of firecrackers. Meanwhile, Delhi minister Kapil Mishra alleged that a campaign was being orchestrated to target Diwali and Sanatan Dharma in the name of pollution.